Bread depanner



May 29, 1956 G. A. JORGENSON BREAD DEPANNER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March1, 1951 IN VEN TOR.

GEIgfiLDAJORGENSON Attorney w rm/ mm mm m y 9, 1956 e. A. JORGENSON2,747,753

BREAD DEPANNER Filed March 1, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIHIIH BM n fi ui 1E May 29, 1956 G. A. JORGENSON BREAD DEPANNER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledMarch 1, 1951 M i v INVENTOR. GERALD A .JORGENSON Attorney y 29, 1956 G.A. JORGENSON 2,747,753

BREAD DEPANNER Filed March 1, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

N BGERALD AJORGENSON In BY Attorney May 29, 1956 G. A. JORGENSON BREADDEPANNER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 1, 1951 FIG? I INVENTOR. GERALDAJORGENSON United States Patent BREAD DEPANNER Gerald A. Jorgenson,York, Pa., assignor to Read Standard Corporation, a corporation ofDelaware Application March 1, 1951, Serial No. 213,357

7 Claims. (Cl. 21441- 308) This invention relates generally to bakeryequipment and particularly to a device for removing bread from the pansin which they have been baked.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device forautomatically removing bread from straps of pans of various sizes andshapes in a rapid and ef ficient manner and which device is extremelycompact, requiring a minimum of floor space and that is sufiiciently lowfor convenient access in cleaning and making adjustments or repairs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bread depanner of thetype described in which substantially instantaneous and complete removalof the loaves from the pans is assured. Some loaves will adhere to thepans to a greater degree than others, so that if upon inverting the pansto remove the loaves, some remain in the pans, the operators time istaken in manually removing these loaves, or if the loaves are onlypartly removed or not removed with sufiicient rapidity then as the pansare moved along, such loaves will be crippled or will jam the machine.Such difiiculties are rendered negligible in the present machine.

Another feature of the invention consists in the novel means employed toright and dispose of the pans follow ing inverting and removal of thebread therefrom.

Another feature of the invention consists in the novel means for feedingfilled pans one at a time-totheloading station pan support of thedepanner synchronized with the operation of the carriers that transportthe pans to the bread dumping station so that succeeding pans arepositively held back until a-preceeding pan has been lifted from theloading station pan support by a pan carrier.

With the foregoing and other objects in view ,as will appear from thefollowing description, the invention further consists in the combinationand arrangement of parts and in the details of construction, it beingunderstood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of theinvention without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings accompanying the following description:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the depanner with a conveyor fordelivering the pans of bread thereto at one end and aconveyor-forremoving the righted empty pans at the opposite end;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the depanner;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the pan righting end of the depanner; v

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 isa fragmentary viewin side elevation of the depannershowingthe drive for the pan righting mechanism;

Figu e 7 is a fragmentary plan .view of the depanner at the breaddumping station, with parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation at the infeed end of the depanner,showing a modification of the pan receiving and supporting mechanism;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view at the discharge end of the depanner, showing amodification of the pan turn-over mechanism;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11+11 of Figure 10; andv i Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 121 2 ofFigure ll. I if Referring to the drawings, the depanner is designated asa whole by the numeral 20. At 21 is a conveyor for delivering straps ofpans 22 of baked bread from an oven (not shown) to the depanner 2i andat the opposite end of the depanner is a conveyor 23 arranged to receivethe pans 22 in righted position and from which the loaves of bread havebeen removed.

The depanner 20 embodies a framework 24 that may be built up of angleiron and metal plates, and is preferably mounted on casters 25 to makethe unit portable.

Journaled in opposite sides of the framework 24 are transverselyextending shafts 26, 27 and 28, shaft 26 being disposed adjacent thelower forward or infeed end of the depanner, shaft 27 adjacent the upperrearward or pan discharge end, and shaft 28 adjacent the upper end ofthe depanner between the shafts 26 and 27, as best shown in Figure 4, Onone end of each of the shafts 26, 27 and 28 adjacent one side of theframework 24 are secured the respective sprockets 29, 30 and 31.Similarly, on the opposite end of each of the shafts 26, 27 and 28adjacent the side of the framework 24 are secured the respectivesprockets 32, 33 and 34, Figure 2.

Trained around the sprockets 29, 30, 31 is a sprocket chain 35 andaround the sprockets 3 2, 33, 34, a sprocket chain 36, preferably ofconventional bar link roller type. Adjacent the infeed end of thedepanner above the sprockets 29 and 32, the chains 35 and 36 are guidedabout respective curved tracks 37 and 38, to provide the pan carriers39, which are supported at spaced intervals between and by the chains 35and 36, with a vertical run 40 and a diagonally upward and forward run41, as best shown in Figure 4. Between the sprockets 31, 34 and 30, 33,the chains 35 and 36 provide the carriers 39 with a substantiallyhorizontal run 42 or if desired a slightly downwardly sloping run.Between the sprockets 30, 33 and 29, 32, the chains 35 and 36 providethe carriers 39 with a rearwardly and downwardly sloping return run 43.

The pan carriers 39 are substantially L shaped in cross section, theupright portion of the L being in the form of a grid 44 comprisingspaced fingers 45, and the base portion of the L being in the form of aledge 46 having at its ends outwardly diverging pan guide stops 47.Mounted on theledge 46 are laterally adjustableoutwardly diverging panguides 48 for properly locating the pans at the bread dumping station onthe horizontal run 42 immediately forward of the sprockets 3'1, 34. Theledge 46and-grid 44 of the pan carriers 39 support the straps of pans 22from the loading station adjacent the vertical run 40 to the dumpingstation, the arrows in Figure 4 indicating the direction of travel ofthe chains 35, 36 and the pan carriers 39 supported thereon.

The pan carriers 39 are supported in such a manner, as hereinafterdescribed, that at the dumping station which, as previously explained,is along the horizontal run 42 immediately forward of the sprockets 31,34, the outwardlyprojecting grid member 44 ofthe pan carrier 39 tiltsforward, assuming the same tilted position as the pan carrier 39 at theright in Figure 4, so that the pan set becomes overbalanced and isturned upside down.

In order to support the pan carriers 39, they are pivotally connected attheir opposite ends, at the corners where their grid 44 and ledge member46 join, to brackets 49 formed with or attached to links of the chains35 and 36. Rearward of the brackets 49 are similar brackets 50 to whichare pivotally connected one end of rods 51, the other end of which rodshave a pivotal connection 52 with the outer end portions of the pancarriers 39. These pivotal connections provide the necessary flexibilityto permit the pan carriers and supports to travel around the severalsprockets.

Rigidly attached to opposite sides and extending rearwardly from thedepanner adjacent its loading end are brackets 53 and 54. A cross bar 55connects the outer ends of the brackets 53 and 54, from which may besupported the discharge end of the conveyor 21. Secured to the cross bar55 and extending forwardly therefrom are a plurality of transverselyspaced stationary fingers 56 forming a support for the pan setsdelivered from the conveyor 21.

As each of the pan carriers 39 travels up along the vertical run 40, thefingers 45 of its grid member 44 pass between the stationary fingers 56and pick up a strap of bread filled pans 22 and conveys it to thedumping station where, as previously explained, the pans are overturned.

At the dumping station along and below the horizontal run 42 is arectangular frame indicated as a whole by the reference character 57,Figure 2, which is supported between the sides of the framework 24 in amanner to be easily removable. Supported by and consequently removableas a unit with the frame 57 are the knock out bars 58, the panstabilizers 59, the bread turn-over plates 60 and the bread chutepartitions 61.

The forward corners of the frame 57 are provided with forwardly openingU-shaped recesses 62 arranged to engage pins 63 extending inwardly ofbrackets 64, which brackets are secured to opposite sides of theframework 24, whereby the frame 57 is pivotally supported and removableby withdrawing it rearwardly out of engagement with the pins 63, all asbest shown in Figure 7.

One of the rearward corners of the frame 57 is provided with adownwardly opening U-shaped recess 65 arranged to engage a pin 66extending inwardly of bracket 67, which bracket is secured to the sideof the framework 24, preventing downward, forward and rearwarddisplacement of the frame 57 but permitting upward movement pivotallyabout its forward end, all as best shown in Figure 7. The other rearwardcorner of the frame 57 is provided with a laterally outwardly openingcavity 68 arranged to receive spring pressed pin 69 supported in thebracket 78, which bracket is secured to the'side of the framework 24,whereby the frame 57 may be locked in place, all as best shown in Figure7.

Thus to remove the frame 57 together with the various elements carriedthereby, it is only necessary to pull pin 69 out of engagement withcavity 68, raise the frame 57 pivotally about its forward end until therecess 65 is disengaged from pin 66, pull the frame 57 rearward untilthe recesses 62 are disengaged from pins 63, and then raise the frame 57out of the framework 24.

The longitudinally extending transversely spaced knock out bars 58 aresecured in any suitable manner at their opposite ends to the crosspieces of the frame 57. The knock out bars 58 are so spaced as to be inalinement with the spaces between adjacent pans of the pan sets 22 sothat when the pan sets overturn and the straps that hold the pans of apan set together land on the knock out bars 58, the loaves of bread,which are jarred loose by the impact, will drop between the knock outbars.

Movably mounted on the rearward crosspiece of the frame 57 directlyabove the rearward ends of the knock out bars 58 and normally held in anupright position by suitable light spring means (not shown), are the panstabilizing fingers 59. It is evident then, that when a pan set 22 isoverturned at the dumping station, the fingers 59 will engage in thespaces between the pans of the pan set 22, and by reason of engagementof the fingers 59 with the rearward portion of the pan strap and thesides of adjacent pans, forward and lateral movement of the pan setafter being overturned is restrained, thereby stabilizing or holding thepans in proper position for discharge of the loaves of bread from thepans. The stabilizing fingers 59 are released from engagement with thepan sets 22 by being forced pivotally downward against the tension ofspring means (not shown) as the pan sets are pushed forward in theirinverted position by the pan carriers 39.

The loaves of bread falling from the pan sets at the dumping station arereceived by a chute 73 which is supported in any suitable manner fromthe sides of the framework 24, as shown at 74 in Figure 4. The chute 73comprises a plate 75 curving downwardly and rearwardly, from a positionimmediately beneath the forward end of the dumping station to a positionconsiderably beneath the rearward end of the dumping station. The sidesof the chute 73 are provided with side walls 76 which together with thepartitions 61 form individual passages for the loaves falling from thepans of a pan set 22.

Pivotally mounted on the rearward cross piece of the frame 57 andextending a distance forward of the said cross piece are the breadturn-over plates 60. These plates coincide with the passages in thechute 73 formed by the partitions 61 and the chute side walls 76. Now,when a pan set 22 is inverted at the dumping station, the plates 60provide a support for the rearward end of the loaves of bread while theforward ends of the loaves are free to fall, whereby the loaves will beturned right side up and slide down the curved walls 75 of the chute 73.

Adjusting means is provided for varying the slope of the plates 60 toeffect most efficient turn-over for different sized loaves. This may bereadily determined by trial and error and the proper setting fordifferent sized loaves arrived at. The adjusting means, Figures 4, 5 and7, includes brackets 77 depending from the rearward end of the frame 57adjacent each side of the framework 24. Mounted for rotation in thelower ends of the brackets 77 is a transversely extending rod 78, oneend of which is angularly formed and engages the bifurcated end of ashaft 79 mounted in a bearing 80 carried by the framework 24. The end ofthe shaft 79 opposite its bifurcated end, projects outwardly and carriesa handle 81 through which the rod 78 may be turned. Rigidly secured atone end on the rod 78 are a number of lever arms 82. The free ends ofthe lever arms 82 are provided with pins 83 engaging in longitudinalslots 84 formed in members 85 which are rigidly secured to the undersides of the plates 60. Thus by turning the rod 78, the lever arms 82through their pin and slot connection will effect the adjustment of theplates 60. Any suitable means may be used for retaining the handle 81 inadjusted position.

Extending transversely through the depanner 20 is an endless breadconveyor 86 the top run of which is disposed rearward of and slightlybelow the level of the bottom of the bread chute 73 in position toreceive the loaves of bread from the chute. The conveyor 86, as shown inFigure 4, is trained at one end over sprockets 87 secured on a shaft 88which is supported in suitable manner by the framework 24.

A stop plate 89 extends along one side of the conveyor 86 opposite thebread chute 73 to properly position the loaves on the conveyor 86. Thestop plate 89 is loosely mounted on the ends of a pair of shafts 90threaded in brackets 91 which are secured to opposite sides of theframework 24. Handles 92 are provided on the ends of the shafts 90opposite the stop plate 89, for threading the shafts 90 in and out ofthe brackets 91 to -5 adjust the position of the stop plate 89. Springmeans 93 provide for yielding movement of the stop plate .89 to absorbthe shock of the loaves and to minimize the tendency of the loaves tobounce from the stop plate 89.

A pair of pan turn-over support plates 94 and 95 are securely attachedin suitable manner to the upper rearward ends of the respective sidewalls of the depanner framework 24 and extend rearwardly therefrom.Rotatably mounted in the rearward ends of the support plates 94 and 95below the level of the horizontal run 42 of the pan carriers 39 is atransverse shaft 96 which carries a grid-like pan turn-over member 97.The pan turn-over member 97 includes a hub 98 from which project aplurality of diametrically oppositely projecting fingers 99. The ends ofthe fingers are bent at right angles to form a stop for retaining thepans on the pan turn-over member 97 when the latter is in position forreceiving the empty pans from the depanner, all as best shown in Figures1 and 2. A grid-like member 100 is supported between and by the supportplates 94 and 95 and slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the pandischarge end of the horizontal .run 42 of the pan carriers 39 to thepan turn-over member 97, to provide a guide support for directing thedischarged pans onto the pan turn-over member 97. Rotation of the panturnaover member 97, rights the pans from their inverted position anddrops them onto the conveyor 23.

The drive mechanism for the depanner :20 includes a motor 101 and gearreducer 102 mounted in the lower rearward end of the framework 24, asshown in Figure 1. While the drive from motor 101 may be connected withany one of the shafts 26, 27, 28, Figure 4, it is shown and will bedescribed as connected with shaft 27.

The shaft 27 is provided with a laterally projecting extension 193,mounted at its end in a bearing 104 which is supported by a bracket 105rigidly secured, in suitable manner, on one side of the depannerframework 24, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Associated with the drive for the shaft 27, is a suitable one revolutionclutch 106, as for example, a Hilliard Single Revolution Clutch, Type 6,that will cause each of the pan carriers 39 to halt momentarily whenthey reach the pan dumping station, as indicated at point marked A inFigure l. This momentary halt -is of sufficient duration, preferablyabout four seconds, to permit the pans carried by the pan carriers 39 tofall over and for the loaves of bread to be ejected from the pans beforethe empty overturned pans are moved'forwardly along the horizontal run42 by the pan carriers 39.

For driving the continuously rotating element of the one revolutionclutch 106 a sprocket chain 107, Figure l, is entrained over a sprocket108 on drive shaft 109, sprocket 11:! on idler shaft 111, and sprocket112 of friction clutch 113 on the shaft extension 103. The frictionclutch 113 is provided as a safety measure should the pan conveyorbecome jammed for any reason.

in order to momentarily stop the shaft 27 and its extension 103 andthereby, as set forth above, halt each of the pan conveyors when theyreach the position A, the intermittently driven member of the onerevolution clutch gas is provided with a cam step 114 arranged to beengaged by a trip lever 115 which has a pivotal mounting 116. The triplever 115 is disengagedfrom the cam step 114 to permit a singlerevolution of the shaft 27 and its extension 153, by means of an arm117, mounted to rotate .with the shaft 111, that contacts the trip lever115 to pivotally raise it out of engagement with the cam step 114.

To provide for the dwell of the pan carriers 39 at the position A forthe purpose previously explained, the sprocket 110 is greater indiameter than sprocket 112, whereby shaft 111 will rotate slower thanshaft 27 and its extension 103. Thus the trip lever 115 will remain inengagement with the cam step 114 for a period of time trained over thesprockets 118 and 119. The shaft 120 which extends transversely of andis journaled in the framework 24, is disposed in the same horizontalplane as the shaft 88 of the bread conveyor 86 and above the shaft 26.Rotation of shaft from shaft 26 is transmitted to the shaft .88 by meansof bevel gears 122 and 123 mounted, respectively, on the adjacent endsof the shafts 88 and 120.

Rotation of the pan turn-over member 97 is transmitted from shaft 27through a sprocket chain 124 trained over sprockets 125 and 126 mountedon projecting ends of the shafts 27 and 96, respectively.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a modification of theinfeed or loading end of the depanner whereby one pan set may be pickedup from the pan support on the infeed end of the depanner withoutinterference from the next succeeding pan set.

As in the previously described form of the invention, a conveyor 200delivers straps of pans 201 of baked bread from an oven (not shown) tothe depanner 202. The means for receiving the pan sets from the conveyor20 0 and for supporting them until picked up by the pan carriers 239,includes brackets 203 and 204 rigidly attached to opposite sides andextending rearwardly from the depanner adjacent its loading end. One pancarrier 239 is shown in Figure 8, but a plurality of such pan carriersare provided which are in all respects the same as the pan carriers .39previously described, and are carried by the sprocket chains 205 and206.

Mounted in the rearward ends of the brackets 203 and 204 are a pair oftransversely extending spaced rollers 207, with the rearward rollerdisposed in a plane slightly lower than the forward roller, whereby thepan sets can roll freely forward from the delivery end of the conveyor 200. Upon leaving the rollers 207, the pan sets are supported, inposition to be picked up by the pan carriers 239, on a plurality oftransversely spaced stationary fingers 2.08 which are secured to andextend forwardly from a cross bar 209 supported at its opposite ends inthe brackets 203 and 204 just forward of the rollers 207.

In order to hold back succeeding pan sets 201 on the conveyor 200 untila preceding pan set has been picked up from the supporting fingers 298by a pan carrier, a three sided frame 210 is provided that extends aboutthe sides and rearward ends of the brackets 203 and 204. The sidemembers 211 and 212 of the frame 210 are pivotally supportedintermediate their ends on the laterally projecting pins 213 and 214carried by the brackets 203 and 204.

The forward ends of the side members 211 and 212 of the frame 210 areprovided with cam followers, the cam follower for side member 211 beingshown in Figure 8 at 215. A spring 216 attached at one end to the sidemember 211 of frame 210 forward of its pivotal mounting and attached atits other end to the framework 217, and a similar spring arrangement(not shown) for the side member 212, retain the cam followers inengagement with cams 218 and 219. The cams 218 and 219 are mounted onthe opposite ends of the shaft 220 which is operatively connected withthe pan carrier sprocket chains 205 and 206.

When the cam followers 215 ride along the high portion 221 of the cams218 and 219, the frame 210 will assume the position shown in full linesin Figure 8, where by a pan set 201 is free to pass over the crossmember 222 of the frameg2l0 from the conveyor 20h onto the pansupporting fingers 208. Now, when the cam followers 215 leave the highportion 221 of the cams 218 and 219, the springs 216 will urge therearward end of frame 7 210 upwardly about its pivots, and the crossmember 222 will engage the front end of the next succeeding pan set andprevent it from advancing, as shown by the dot and dash lines in Figure8.

The operation of the frame 210 is timed with the operation of the pancarriers 239 so that only one pan at a time is permitted to advance fromthe conveyor 200 each time a pan carrier 239 is in position to pick up apan set. Since the cam 218 that oscillates the frame 210 is fixed on thesame shaft 220 that is rotated by engagement of a pair of sprockets withthe pan carrier sprocket chains 205 and 206, this may be accomplished bymaking the pitch circumference of the sprockets equal to the distancebetween successive pan carriers 239. The sprockets are not shown onFigures 8 and 9, but it is understood that they are the counterpart ofthe sprockets 29 and 32, previously described. Referring to Figure 8,the pan carrier 239 has just picked up a pan set and the frame 222, asshown in dot and dash lines, is in position to stop the next pan set.Before the next pan carrier 239 is in position to pick up a pan set, thehigh part 221 of cam 21.8 is in position to move the frame to theposition shown in full lines, where upon the next pan set advances fromthe conveyor into position to be picked up.

In Figures i0, 11 and 12 is shown a modified form of the empty panre-righting mechanism of the depanner. As in the form of the inventionfirst described the pan sets that have been inverted and from which thebread has been removed, are pushed forwardly by the pan carriers 250.The pan carriers 250 are attached to the endless conveyor chains 251 and252 which are entrained over sprockets 253 and 254 mounted on the shaft255. The shaft 255 is driven in the same manner as shaft 27 of thepreviously described form of the invention.

Mounted for rotation with the shaft 255, in the manner hereinafterdescribed, are a pair of transversely spaced upright longitudinallyextending guide support plates 256. The plates 256 are disposed on theshaft 255 in alinement with the knockout bars 257 which are carried bythe frame 258. The frame 258, as described in connection with the firstform of the invention, is removably supported on the depanner framework.In Figure 10, the knock-out bars 257 and guide support plates 256 arearranged to receive three pan straps, in other words, a pan set of threepans strapped together. Should five pan straps be run through thedepanner, the frame 253 can be conveniently removed, as pre-- viouslyexplained, and a frame such as frame 57 of Figure 2 can be installed. Itis now only necessary to adjust the position of the guide support plates256 on the shaft 255 for alinement with, for example, the outer pair ofknock-out bars of the substituted frame. Similar adjustment of the guidesupport plates 256 can be made for four pan straps.

in Figure 12 is shown a suitable arrangement for adjustably securing theguide support plates 256 on the shaft 255. The guide support plate 256is provided with a hub 259 loosely mounted on the shaft 255. A bore 260extends through the hub 259 diametrically opposite the plate 256, and astem 261 extends through the bore 266. The inner end of the stem 261carries a button 262, and a spring 263 in an enlargement 264 of the bore260 urges the button 262 in engagement with a recess 265 in the shaft255. Similar recesses 266 and 267 are provided for adjusting theposition of the plates 256 for four pan straps or five pan straps. Bypulling on the knob 268 carried by the outer end of the stem 261, thebutton 262 is disengaged from the recess 265 and the plate 256 can bemoved along shaft 255, until the button 262 engages one of the recesses266 and 267.

When a pan set is pushed onto the guide support plates 256 by a pancarrier 250, rotation of the plates 256 gradually inverts the pan set.The pan set is prevented from sliding otf the plates 256 by engagementof its forward 8 end' with the lips 269 of'the plates 256. Uponcontinued rotation of the plates 256, the pan set becomes overbalancedand drops by gravity from the plates 256 and the overturned pan setslides along a sloping support grid 270 and is deposited onto a suitableconveyor (not shown) in righted position, ready to be carried away.

Extending laterally from each side of the plates 256 and rotatabletherewith are trays 271. These trays are so disposed as to be inward ofthe pan supporting edges of the plates 256, as best shown in Figure ll.Thus, should a loaf of bread be partly dislodged from a pan but fail todrop out at the dumping station, the trays 271 will, as they rotate withthe plates 256, prevent the loaf from dropping out of the pan after thelattcr leaves the dumping station and eliminate the possibility of theleaf striking the shaft 255 and jamming the machine or the pans.

I claim:

l. A depanning device for removing baked products from pans, including apan carrier movable along an upwardly extending run and then from itsupper extremity along a forwardly extending run, said pan carrier havinga surface disposed to support a filled pan along said upwardly extendingrun and being sloped forwardly from the normal to the run of saidcarrier in the direction of travel thereof to tilt said pan to anoverbalancing position on said forwardly extending run, means forarresting fall of said pan in its inverted position to dislodge bakedproducts therefrom, and means for momentarily interrupting movement ofsaid pan carrier upon reaching said forwardly extending run.

2. In an apparatus for removing baked products from a pan set oflaterally spaced pans rigidly connected by straps, the combination of apan set carrier movable along an upwardly extending and then along aforwardly extending run, said carrier having a surface disposed tosupport a filled pan set along said upwardly extending run and to tiltsaid pan set to an overbalancing position on said forwardly extendingrun, means for arresting fall of said pan set in its inverted positionto dislodge baked products therefrom, and laterally spaced uprightfingers on said forwardly extending run adapted to project through thespaces between adjacent pans of a pan set and engage the pan straps forarresting forward momentum of said pan set.

3. In an apparatus for removing baked products from a pan set oflaterally spaced pans rigidly connected by straps, the combination of apan set carrier movable along an upwardly extending and then along aforwardly extending run, said carrier having a surface disposed tosupport a filled pan set along said upwardly extending run and to tiltsaid pan set to an overbalancing position on said forwardly extendingrun, means for arresting fall of said pan set in its inverted positionto dislodge baked products therefrom, and laterally spaced fingerspivotally mounted on said forwardly extending run, means biasing saidfingers in an upright position to project through the spaces betweenadjacent pans of a pan set and engage the pan straps for arrestingforward momentum of said pan set, said fingers being movable out ofengaging position against the force of said biasing means uponadvancement of said pan set by said pan carrier along said forwardlyextending run.

4. In a depanning device for removing baked products from pans, endlessconveying means including an upwardly extending and a forwardlyextending run, pan carriers attached to said endless conveying means,said pan carriers being inclined forward from the normal to saidconveying means at their point of attachment, whereby pans carried bysaid pan carriers become everbalanced when said pan carriers pass fromsaid upwardly extending run onto said forwardly extending run andpivotally fall by gravity in an inverted position, means for arrestingfall of said pans in their inverted position to dislodge baked productstherefrom, means for operating said conveying means, and means formomentarily interrupting operation of said conveying means when said pancarriers reach said forwardly extending run.

5. In an apparatus for removing bread loaves from a pan set of laterallyspaced pans rigidly connected by straps, the combination of a framework,laterally spaced endless chains mounted therein including an upwardlyextending and a forwardly extending run, pan set carriers extendingbetween and attached to said laterally spaced endless chains, saidcarriers being arranged to support filled pan sets along said upwardlyextending run and to tilt said pan sets to an overbalancing position onsaid forwardly extending run, a removable frame supported by saidframework subjacent said forwardly extending run, longitudinally spacedbars secured to said frame spaced laterally apart to engage the strapsbetween adjacent pans of a pan set for arresting said pan set in itsinverted position to dislodge the bread therefrom, and upright fingerscarried by said frame spaced laterally apart to project through thespaces between adjacent pans of a pan set and adapted to engage the panstraps for arresting forward momentum of said pan set.

6. In an apparatus for removing bread loaves from a pan set of laterallyspaced pans rigidly connected by straps, the combination of a framework,laterally spaced endless chains mounted therein including an upwardlyextending and a forwardly extending run, pan set carriers extendingbetween and attached to said laterally spaced endless chains, saidcarriers being arranged to support filled pan sets along said upwardlyextending run and to tilt said pan sets to an overbalancing position onsaid forwardly extending run, a removable frame supported by saidframework subjacent said forwardly extending run, longitudinally spacedbars secured to said frame spaced laterally apart to engage the strapsbetween adjacent pans of a pan set for arresting said pan set in itsinverted position to dislodge the bread therefrom, and upright fingerscarried by said frame spaced laterally apart to project through thespaces between adjacent pans of a pan set and adapted to engage the panstraps for arresting forward momentum of said pan set, and means carriedby said frame to engage end portions of the loaves of bread dis lodgedfrom said pans to re-invert the loaves as they fall from the pans.

7. In a depanning device for removing baked products from pans, endlessconveying means including an upwardly extending and a forwardlyextending run, pan carriers attached to said endless conveying means,said pan carriers being inclined forward from the normal to saidconveying means at their point of attachment, whereby pans carried bysaid pan carriers become overbalanced when said pan carriers pass fromsaid upwardly extending run onto said forwardly extending run andpivotally fall by gravity in an inverted position, means for arrestingfall of said pans in their inverted position to dislodge baked productstherefrom, means for operating said conveying means including a singlerevolution clutch for interrupting operation of said conveying meanswhen said pan carriers reach said forwardly extending run, and means forreengaging said clutch after a predetermined interval.

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